Police Department to Launch 'Neighbors Helping Neighbors' Program During Night Out Against Crime

As part of tomorrow's Night Out Against Crime, the Salt Lake City Police Department will launch a new program that provides residents with tools to combat drugs and gangs in city neighborhoods.

“Law enforcement works best as a partnership with the community we serve. Our new ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ program will create a simple way for residents to report drug and gang activity, information that officers can then use to address criminal problems in our neighborhoods,” said Chris Burbank, Chief of Police.

Full details about the program will be unveiled at a press conference during a Night Out Against Crime event hosted by the Federal Heights Neighborhood Association, Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and the Greater Avenues Community Council tomorrow night.

WHO:
Chris Burbank, Salt Lake City Chief of Police
Federal Heights Neighborhood Association
Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity
Greater Avenues Community Council

WHAT:
Launch of ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ Program during Night Out Against Crime

WHEN:
6 p.m.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010

WHERE:
1409 E. Butler Ave.
Salt Lake City, UT 84102

Detectives Seek Persons of Interest in Homicide

Photos: Delfino Arriaga Luna (left) and Ben Arriaga (right)

The Salt Lake City Police Department seeks two persons of interest in the homicide of a 19-year-old female at 766 W. 300 N. this afternoon:

· Delfino Arriaga Luna, 33
· Benjamin Arriaga, 37

Detectives consider these men armed and dangerous.

Delfino Arriaga Luna was last seen driving a 2004 Blue Dodge Ram 1500 Quad cab pickup, Utah plate #Z290PH, but also has the following vehicles registered under his name:

· 1998 Silver Ford Contour LX Sport SE 4-door, Utah plate #SS7268
· 1997 Black Volkswagen Jetta GL 4-door, Utah plate #A890LM
· 1997 white Ford Crown Vic (Police Intcptr), Utah plate #B653EK

Detectives ask anyone with information about these persons of interest to call (801) 799-3000. Callers may remain anonymous. Please reference case #10-58764.

Missing Woman Found Safe

Police no longer seek person of interest

Salt Lake City Police Officers found 34-year-old Veronique Moses at 11 this morning.

Earlier today police received a call from an alarm company that maintains a panic alarm at the woman’s home. Through a two-way speaker, an alarm company dispatcher reported that a man and woman could be heard arguing. The female voice asked for police, according to the alarm company.

The alarm company then contacted the Police Department at 2:30 this morning. Responding police officers found no sign of the woman or her car, although her purse was still in the house. Other suspicious characteristics at the scene included a ladder leaning against an open window and the alarm box ripped from the wall.

As a result, the Police Department issued an Endangered Person Advisory and sought a person of interest. Officers have since made contact with Stephen E. Carnegie, an acquaintance. Investigators have determined that he was not involved in this case.

Surveillance Photos from Bank Robbery Released to Public

The Salt Lake City Police Department today released photos of the suspect in a bank robbery in hopes that the public can identify the man.

On Wednesday, March 3, 2010, at approximately 2 p.m., a male white adult, 30 to 40 years old, entered the First National Bank at 480 E. 400 S. and robbed it. The suspect was seen entering the premises from the west end of the block and may have walked through several parking lots on his way to and from the bank.

The bank’s surveillance system captured images of the suspect, who is a male white adult, 6 feet tall and 175 pounds, and wearing dark clothing, a black beanie and black sunglasses.

Detectives are asking anyone with information about this suspect to contact the Salt Lake City Police Department at (801) 799-3000. Callers may remain anonymous. Call (801) 799-INFO (4636) and the police will assign you a confidential number. You may also send e-mail to tipsforcash@slcgov.com. Please reference case #10-37816.

'Ask the Chiefs' Heads to Anderson-Foothill City Library Tonight @ 7

What does it take to be a police officer or a firefighter? How can residents get involved in making their neighborhoods safer? How might new laws affect Police and Fire Departments? When will the new Public Safety Building open? Police Chief Chris Burbank and Fire Chief Kurt Cook will answer those questions and more during tonight’s “Ask the Chiefs” event, this time at the City Library’s Anderson-Foothill branch, 1135 South 2100 East.

The informal Q&A session starts at 7 p.m. Attendees should note that Salt Lake City Television Channel 17 videotapes each session for broadcast at a later date.

The final evening in the Ask the Chiefs series will be held next Thursday, February 25, at the Main City Library, 210 East 400 South, in Conference Rooms B&C.

The public is welcome to email questions in advance to askthechiefs@slcgov.com.

Officers Plan ‘Monster Jam’ Field Trip for Road Home Kids

The Salt Lake City Police Department, in conjunction with Feld Entertainment, will be escorting children from The Road Home to a Monster Jam® truck rally Friday night.

In addition to watching the likes of Gravedigger, Monster Mutt and Bounty Hunter mix it up on the dirt track, the children will meet drivers from the show and enjoy a pre-rally Little Caesars pizza party in the VIP room at Energy Solutions Arena.

Officers began holding monthly activities for children whose families are living at The Road Home as a way to build positive relationships with at-risk youth. Since early 2009, they have arranged trips to the zoo, the Circus, Disney On Ice events, even a night at the movies.

Monster Jam® is the world’s premier monster truck series, with more than 4 million fans attending events at the world’s most prominent arenas and stadiums. Monster Jam® shows consist of three main elements – the pit party, side-by-side racing and freestyle.

Reporters are invited to cover the pizza party with the kids. Call Leslie Hart, (435) 467-0833, for admittance instructions.


WHO:
SLCPD Officers
Kids from The Road Home
Feld Entertainment

WHAT:
Monster Jam® pizza party

WHEN:
Friday, February 12, 2010
6:00–6:45 PM

WHERE:
Energy Solutions Arena VIP Room
Just off the ticket lobby
301 W. South Temple
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Ask the Chiefs Tonight @ Sweet Library

Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank and Fire Chief Kurt Cook invite those who live or work in the city to talk with them about public safety issues tonight during another “Ask the Chiefs” event, this time at the City Library’s Sweet branch, 455 F Street (9th Avenue).

The informal Q&A session starts at 7 p.m. with a short presentation from Chiefs Burbank and Cook regarding public safety issues in the city, with the majority of the time given to questions from those in attendance. Attendees should note that Salt Lake City Television Channel 17 videotapes each session for broadcast at a later date.

Future Ask the Chiefs sessions will be held at the following City Library branches:

Feb. 18: Anderson-Foothill, 1135 South 2100 East
Feb. 25: Main Library, Conference Rooms B&C, 210 East 400 South

The public is welcome to email questions in advance to askthechiefs@slcgov.com.

In Memoriam: Officer William Cooke, Killed in the Line of Duty 151 Years Ago

The Salt Lake City Police Department today remembers the loss of one its own: Officer William Cooke, killed in the line of duty October 18, 1858.

Officer Cooke was the first Utah police officer to be murdered in the line of duty.

On the afternoon of October 13, the 55-year-old victim was on duty and alone at the city jail. Two men came to the jail and demanded the release of an inmate. When Officer Cooke refused, one of the men shot him in the thigh. Officer Cooke died five days later.

The killer fled Salt Lake City. He was shot and killed October 21, 1858, near Fort Bridger, Wyoming, by a Salt Lake mail carrier familiar with the murder.

Officer Cooke was married and the father of six children. He is buried in Salt Lake City Cemetery.

If you have family history or photos of Officer Cooke to share, please email policehistory@slcgov.com or call (801) 799-3340. To learn more about our Fallen Officers, please visit http://www.slcpd.com/. Click on “Honoring Our Own.”

The Police Department wishes to thank the Utah Law Enforcement Memorial for its assistance in this remembrance.

Theft Ring Dismantled by County-Wide Operation

SALT LAKE CITY – Oct. 8, 2009 – This morning the Salt Lake City Police Department, West Jordan Police Department, West Valley City Police Department and investigators from the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office served six search warrants throughout the Salt Lake Valley and arrested several individuals involved in the theft of high-value metals. Western Metals Recycling and Kennecott Utah Copper Security also assisted with this operation and the underlying investigation.

Arrested were:

• Guillermo Lopez
• Jose Antonion Arteaga
• Jose de Jesus-Ponce
• Richard Montano
• Guadalupe Lopez-Espinoza

Some of the arrested persons were employees of Western Metals Recycling. Their job was to retrieve scrap metal from Kennecott Utah Copper and take it to Western Metals Recycling. The suspects stole metals owned by Western Metals, and also diverted metals intended for Western Metals. Information reviewed by investigators indicates that this scheme has been ongoing for at least the last four years. Early estimates place the value of the loss at more than $700,000.

Possible charges include theft, money laundering, pattern of unlawful activity, and theft by deception – all felonies with the potential for significant prison sentences.

“This investigation started several months ago when Western Metals notified the metals theft task force of a possible ongoing criminal enterprise,” said Fred Burmester, Deputy District Attorney. “At that point several law enforcement agencies, Western Metals, Utah Metals, Kennecott and the DA’s Office began working together to investigate and bring about the dismantling of a major scrap metal theft ring.”

The District Attorney’s Office wishes to thank all those involved for the many hours and resources they dedicated to this cooperative effort.

Note: This press release was issued today by the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office and reposted here as a courtesy.